The City of Montgomery Launches Envision Montgomery 2040

A Process to Develop a New Comprehensive Plan Guide Future Decision Making

The City of Montgomery will embark on an ambitious process this year to develop a new Comprehensive Plan, its first since 1963. This process, called Envision Montgomery 2040, set a bold direction for growth and development and inform policy decisions for decades to come. The process has been designed to be transparent and community-driven with multiple engagement opportunities built-in.

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan is a long-term guide for the future physical development of a city that considers the input of citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders. It includes recommendations for future land use, community design, connectivity, open space and recreation areas, cultural and historical resources, infrastructure, and economic development. It includes a vision, an aspirational statement about the future condition of the City; goals, desired outcomes for each of the plan topics that are expressed simply; objectives to measure progress on a goal, and actions to achieve the goal.

Major topics in Envision Montgomery 2040 Comprehensive Plan currently include: Land Use, Transportation, Housing and Community Development, Economic Development, Community Facilities and Infrastructure, Environment, Parks/Recreation and Open Space, Education and Cultural Arts, Community Character and Urban Design, Military, Public Health, and Historic Preservation.

Who’s involved?

The process is being led by a 46-member Steering Committee made up of individuals from across Montgomery representing the diverse interests in the City. It will be overseen by the City of Montgomery’s Department of Planning in collaboration with a consulting team led by planning NEXT of Columbus, Ohio. The team includes local and national partners with years of experience in crafting plans for communities like Montgomery. Residents and business owners in the City, play a major part in shaping the plan by contributing ideas to the Envision Montgomery 2040 process through the extensive public engagement activities.

The Process

The process will last just over one year, with the initial Steering Committee meeting being held in late February 2018. The team will meet regularly throughout the process to plan outreach activities, discuss technical analysis, and set the general direction for the Plan. Residents and business owners can contribute their thoughts and ideas at the in-person workshops, at a small meeting-in-a-box, or through the website. Ideas shared could serve as the foundation for the community’s vision statement, contribute to one of the Plan’s goals, inspire a specific action (like a new project, policy, or program), or set the course for implementation. Finally, recommendations will emerge in each topic that melds the technical analysis with the intuition of the people.

Where to find out more

This website, EnvisionMontgomery2040.org includes information about the process and how citizens can get involved. Share your email in the “Contact us” section and the Planning Team will keep you updated on upcoming meetings, major announcements, and the release of key reports and findings.